South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1887-10-21

Uutou>CiOus.
When he came to himself he was in
strange place, but it was still John
Harmon who was with him aud who
had this to say:
Now, look here, Steve Brady, don't
you go to fussin' or worritin'. You've
been took with a spell, and busted a
blood vessel innardly, through straiuin',
but you don't want doctorin' so much
rs quiet an peace Of mind. That's why
1 brung you here. This is my room and
it's In my mothers house, and want to
say to you that I'll be square an even
with you. i won't take a step toward
SEEM Dolly till you're on your feet
again. l won't try to get ahead wi tn
her through your misfortin', and don't
want you to feel beholdcn to me for
anything. You'd done as well by me
If I'd been in your fix.
The evil spirit in Steve was qucll ed
by this generous treatment.
YOU'RE better man than am, John
Harmon" he cried out. "You're more
deservin' of her, too"
81 don't know" answered John, sTm
slow an you're quick, that's about the
difference. 1t just depends on which
she takes to most, that's all there is of
it"
Another spirit moved the injured man
before he was conceded by John Har-
mon to be fairly on his feet again.
The latter came home late from his
work one evening.
'lIow's Brady" he asked of his
mother as he sat down to the sumner
which she had kept for him. ''Wants
to get out, eh. He'll be there soon now.
but reckon I'll have to give him the
slip tonight She'd be disappointed if
| didn't come 'round.r
eyes, from the mother. "But seems
to me bananys nd give You better worth
for your money than them there roses.
John.
''She wouldn't think so. MOTHER
Then door went shut. and Brady.
who was half way down the stairs when
these words arrested him, turned and
went up again with his blood on fire.
So, this was the kind of faith with him
This was the man who was more worthy
of Dolly than he was
He could hear John splashine the
water at the kitchen sink rs he made
ready to go out, but Harmon had no idea
that dark figure on the other side of
the way, when he finally reached the
street, was that of his rival. He did not
notice how it crept after him, keeping
him in sight; and if there had been any
doubt at all in Brady's mind it was soon
ended, for they were taking the direct
route to Dollys home.
1t was a lonely way; down side streets
and alleys, and presently Steve saw a
second dark form on Harmon's side of
the way now, creeping stcalthily after
him. He remembered then that this
had been pay day and that John most
probably had his weeks wages in his
pocket; but his first impulse was to cry
out and warn the other died down.
Why should he interfere? What bust
ness was it of his if John should he as
saulted and robbed? Was not the Latter
stealing march on him, Carrying ros
to Dolly and ingratiatlng himself when
he had promised to keep away. He had
momentary glimpse of an upliftcd arm
carrying something which looked like
short club. He knew instantly what
1t was. He remembered an item which
he had read the week before OF an un-
known man who had been sandbaegcd
on the street and killed outright by a
single blow. He had not set this ont
law upon the track of John Harmon; he
had nothing to do but to hold his peace
and it might be his rival would be re-
moved from his path forever.
1t was a wicked thought, horrible
thought
"fou hain't got to do nothing, Steve
Brady; only just keep quiet" whis-
pcl'd 'Hc icnptcr.
But another inward voice, finer, stiller,
made itself heard.
''Wher'd you he now il he'd done
nothing when you hung down from that
rotten cavestrough! Did he keep auiet
an let you drop out Of his way. or did
he venture his life to save your'n? This
here's murder you're nursin' in your
heart, Steve Brady. Arc you ready to
do murder for any -lcastwise for a
girl that don't know her own mind we'll
enough to choose between tho two Of
your
All this before the murderous blow
fell. 1t takes time to tell these
thoughts Of his, but they all flashed
through his mind in the space of a
breath. As it fell wild, ear-splittino
yell startled the assaiant and assailed
alike. John Harmon wheeled in his
tracks, and the blow, grazing his check,
had force TO knock him down. He was
mp again on the instant up in time TO
catch Steve Brady rs the rufiian flung
him of after the briefest struggle for
steve was weak yet and no match for